LUSAKA-Grandma's place

"Grandma" was a 93 year old - who was tending for 8 of her own grand children - due to the death of their parents. In the process she had also taken up caring for about another 7 - for a total of 15 children! She also lived in one of the compounds. We were able visit her - and take in some mealy-meal (used for 'sheema' one of their staples in Africa), capella (dried fish) and beans. When she was presented with these items - she did her 'Happy Dance' - boy she had 'the moves'! The hut that she now did her cooking in - consisting of boards, tarps, sticks etc. was what she used for her primay shelter up till last year. MWB was able to build her a more durable block home with a metal roof. Still small with just 2 bedrooms - but was a palace compared to her previous dwelling! We also got to meet one of her granddaughters and a fairly new great grand daughter - a real cuty! She planted a garden, and just the day before, had a top put onto a hand dug well - so they have easy access to water - and do not have to pay. The well has chlorine put into it daily to make the water be 'safe' - due to various health risks around.

At some point, the older granddaughter will have to take over the care and tending of the children.......

PICS: LUSAKA-Grandma's place

LUSAKA-House of Moses

The House of Moses was a facility that took in 'box babies'; those babies that are left along a roadside, on a porch, at a church etc - typically in a box - dressed in their finest clothing - along with their other belongings - if they had anything else. The children went up to 3 years of age. There were 2 floors - with the upper housing about 25 of those being up to about 1 1/2 years old, the the main floor being the remaining 20 or so older ones.

We spent about 4 hours there - playing with the older ones, and feeding, rocking and walking around with the babies! These angels are very fortunate to have this facility and staff to help with their care!

We were instructed to not take pictures once we were inside.

PICS: LUSAKA- House of Moses

LUSAKA-Josephines place

Josephine was another full time (and more) staff member of MWB - being responsible for day-to-day operations of the organization. She has several degrees, including social work. She and her husband live in a home on Dept of Agriculture property; closer to town - but still somewhat secluded and rural. She had just recently gotten her garden put in. She also invited us to her home one afternoon - and we had a chance to visit and enjoy her nice house and beautiful yard! She also made the best popcorn!!! I can still taste it!!

PICS: LUSAKA-Josephine's place

LUSAKA - Chisomo Street Kids Center

The Chisomo Street Kids Center has been around for a number of years. Those who come to the center have been living out on the streets - either because they have no one else to live with, or, due to physical or sexual abuse have run away from a bad situration. These kids scrounge the streets for food and warmth. They will sleep inside culvert pipes - not just from protection against the elements but also from other street kids and 'adults'. They have a lot of hope and desires - and the willingness and enthusiasm to be able to go a long ways with their lives - if they can have a chance. The Street Kids Center provides that starting chance - getting them off the streets and giving them responsibilities and education, when possible. There is full time staff that live there. Currently the boys dorm is wall to wall with bunkbeds - a very crowded situation. They will be converting another building, that maize used to be milled in, into another boys dorm - to help provide some relief.

PICS:  LUSAKA - Chisomo Street Kids Center

Cultural Dancing by the young adults of the center

LUSAKA-visiting a village

We had the chance to visit a 'village' about 90 minutes out from Lusaka. The husband/father of the home we used for the 'Big House' - was the 'chief' of this village - and his mother still resided there. He would drive out on Saturday's take care of business and visit - then return back to Lusaka later that day.

The village was fairly flat - some trees and tall grass - a bit of a breese. It did not have power and no running water. They did have huts - made from clay/dirt blocks - and thatched roofs. While we were there the team did health assessments of most in the village; took a better part of the days. While some of us were helping with the assessments in various capacities - the rest of us played with the kids. We would rotate thru some of the 'jobs' to get a change.

PICS: LUSAKA- visiting a village

                                                            #1 - traveling to the village (part a)

                                                       
                                                                   #2 - traveling to the village (part b)

                                                                   
                                                                   #3 - where health checks were done
                                                                    

                                                                  

                                                                  #4 - some of the village buildings

   

LUSAKA-Websters place

Webster is one of the full time MWB staff members. He is just a powerhouse of activity and enthusiasm! He would take a big breath, exhale and then say 'fresh air.....' and move his long arsm to-and-fro! Some of us picked up his saying!! Webster had a gift of being able to make the best of his situation - and show un-restrained love - especially to the children of the villiages they would visit. He was able to get the kids busy and occupied having fun with them and at the same time teaching them 'life principles'. When we visited the village he did a 'Kids Kamp' letting the kids carry the banner/flag around. We had the pleasure of helping him with this.

Webster invited us over to his home, in one of the compounds, to meet his loving family. Even though his house was of bricks and mortar (which he built himself) - is was a home -full of love and hope. His family performed for us several songs and poems. Webster is one of those rare individuals that you are grateful to have been around and come away being a better person for it! Hey Webster - "Fresh air..................."!

PICS: LUSAKA - Webster's Home

Webster's Family Program - parts 1-5

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LUSAKA-traveling around

These pictures and clips were taking going from 'here to there' while we were in Lusaka. They show the peoples, the environment and the culture of the area; nicer housing to more humble housing, mini-bus taxis - for regular transport; funerals in mini-bus taxis and flat bed trucks.... Most of the days were mild - to some hot and mugginess. We did not have rain while we were out and about - but did have rain that would come in during the night and make the 'already worse roads' even worse. Oh yea, we would pass a tannery - most every day - could not see it - but could tell by the smell - can't you smell it now??

PICS: LUSAKA- traveling around

                                                                      
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These are, who we coined, "the rock smashers" (making gravel by hand!)

The HUGE Coca-Cola Plant!

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#9- drop off victor and vincent

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